Career aspi(e)rations...

I don't really know anything about that sector to be honest but perhaps there are some roles where you could be trained on-the-job and work up? There could be some casual roles during school holidays at places where you could do educational talks for kids? I'm in a complete mess regarding jobs myself, so i really empathise.

How about the Open University? I heard that they do everything online.

I hope you manage to get some leads in Kent or elsewhere to get you started in conservation and you have better experiences with people.

You can launch out in this and maybe later return to university as a mature student when you are above the undergraduate culture and expectations so you don't feel peer pressure to join in and you will either naturally find your intellectual level of people there or be left in peace to do your studies and to your own devices. Maybe all you need is a college course.

I really understand how hard it is to be an autistic gay. You are not alone!

I am also interested in this.

I am autistic and, therefore, I am not sure if would be a good support worker.

I do not have a good eye contact but I have other good qualities.

I think. I would love and enjoy being around autistic people and see something interesting.

Would you also be able to send the information to me, please?

I accept private messages from everyone.

Got it, thanks!

Okay.  Think I've done it right.  Let me know if you can't see it.

You can always get around it by putting a space between letters!  I think that kind of censorship is daft, too.  Pretty q u e e r, in fact

Yeah I'm not sure if it'd suit me but it sounds cool and worth looking into. If you could PM me details that'd be great!

Yeah they're censoring the old Q word for gay or as I use it and is used more modernly to refer to certain LGBT types with a political affinity if that makes any sense. Anyway I complained about it as I find it pretty offensive that it's censored!

Yeah I really like the woods by canterbury campus. It could be something to consider. 

Not sure if it would be your thing - it doesn't suit everyone - but they're always advertising for support workers... all Kent-based.  I can't mention them on here, but can always PM you details if you were interested.  It's a company, too, that takes a very strict line on equality.  We have a really mixed bunch of people working there, and - for an Aspie like me - it's as congenial as I'm likely to find.

Haha! Yes, sorry.  I thought it was censoring a word that it actually wasn't censoring!  It's a little picky about language on here.

I studied at Kent Uni, and now work in Canterbury.  I don't especially like the town, but you can get cheap digs in some of the nearby seaside towns - plus a beach, which is a bonus in summer!

That sounds really nice!

Also did you delete the first bit you said about the mods because it's showing up in my email but not on the threat?

I tried self-employment for a while.  There's a lot to be said for working from home - but in the end, I couldn't handle the uncertainties with income.  I now work as a support worker for an autistic trust.  It's low paid - but it's a great job: working with autistic people, being a mentor to them, taking them on outings, etc.  Today I spent my morning playing pool with one lad, then this afternoon I took a couple of others horseriding.  Great day! 

I actually went to Kent uni really briefly (2 weeks) but really struggled with the place and assumed it was because it was a uni town. Maybe Kent might be a good idea since I did loove the course and I really like the lecurers and would like to be able to see them. 

I like the sound of the conservation volunteers and Kent WT though - thanks!

Yeah I've been trying with this - I'm writing a book and trying to do photography but neither are great methods of getting money. I think also if I moved away from London I'd miss being around people I can actually comfortably interact with but also I can't handle being in London much longer...

Thanks for the support though it's nice to be reminded other people are in the same position and it's not just that I screwed myself over!

Hi there,

I'm not sure about the London area, but you could try contacting The Conservation Volunteers (formerly the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers).  I know they have volunteer groups around the country who will go out regularly to do anything from path-laying to coppicing to habitat conservation.  Could be worth investigating.  I live in Kent, and around here there's also the Kent Wildlife Trust, which runs workshops and ecology groups.  They also have career options, including those for people who don't necessarily have 'conservation' experience.  If you're thinking of getting out of London, Kent might be a reasonably close alternative.

Check them out here:

The Conservation Volunteers

Kent Wildlife Trust

I've generally found that any work I've done in associated areas (including working in a wholefood shop, for instance) has been 'safe' in terms of being away from the type of views and phobic attitudes that you mention.  I, too, would feel very uncomfortable working in such environments.

All the best,

Tom

I have read online in many places that the best employment for autistic people is self-employment.

I also struggle.

I'm not good with hanging out in a pub or a similar "normal" social setting.

I also like nature and animals but I am not a good teacher. Nature and animals are one of the rare things I like to talk about.

I've also attempted uni twice but I really can't deal with the whole student thing (students and their social expectation terrify me). It was so overwhelming. The crowds of students.

I have to say that some low paid jobs are really horrible.

I think you should think about the self-employment as the ultimate goal.

Just wanted to tell you that you are not alone. I am similar to you and experience similar challenges.